I Can Write to Change the World

“Writers can inspire a kinder, fairer, more beautiful world, or incite selfishness, stereotyping, and violence. Writers can unite people or divide them.” This statement from Mary Pipher’s novel entitled Writing to Change the World amazed me. I have always been the kind of writer who thought that the only people who would read my papers were teachers. I knew that they would constructively criticize my work, stick a grade at the top of the page, and then hand it back to me. From that point, I would put it in my writing portfolio where it would probably only see the light of day when I needed to prove the quality of my writing skills to someone. However, when I read the beginning of Pipher’s book I was stunned at how she described the power of words and more importantly the power of writers. I realized that my writing did not have to be only for the sole purpose of getting a grade, or an action to relieve the thoughts in my head. Writing could be used as a tool of great importance and worth; a tool that has the power to change the world. I discovered that what I have to say as a writer is important. My writing can connect people from all over the world, and it will make a difference. This semester I plan on believing in what I have to say, and to think of each essay as more than just another grade. I hope to accomplish a passionate tone in everything I write about. As Pipher said, “Your goal is to find the form that allows you to use every one of your talents in the service of what you consider to be your most important goals.” My goal this semester is to learn how to write to change the world.